Though I am not keen on horserace polls, the latest Gallup tracking poll is notable in two respects.ÂÂ
First, there is the dead-cat bounce Barack Obama got from locking up the Democratic nomination, as the race settles back toward a statistical tie.
Second, Gallup notes that:
Although the margin between Obama and McCain is now similar to what it was in the last few weeks of the Democratic primary race, the structure of the race looks slightly different than at any other time this year as a result of the relatively high percentage of voters — 15% — not favoring either major-party candidate.
***
…the percentages of Americans now supporting Obama and McCain are near the lowest seen for either candidate since Gallup Poll Daily tracking on the Obama-McCain matchup started in early March.
ÂÂ
The reality of the coming choice is settling in with the broader public beyond political junkies, and there is already disenchantment. I am reminded — as I was in a comment thread yesterday — of yet another exchange from Barry Levinson’s Diner:
Edward ‘Eddie’ Simmons: When you’re making out, which do you prefer, Sinatra or Mathis?
Robert ‘Boogie’ Sheftell: I like Presley.
Comment by Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) on 6/15 @ 2:30 pm #
- I might have been even more skeptical about the real importance of this poll if it were run by PEW, because then you couldn’t even trust the numbers such as they are, besides the gravity.
- Even barring any further “revelations” McCain already has a gold mine of hammers to use on Obama.
- A potential example from the upcoming debates.
McCain: “Senator, you say you want to lead America into a season of change. How can you come before the American people with a straight face and say that, when even the church you belonged to for 20 years preaches the hateful politics of apartheid from the early 60’s?”
- And don’t believe McCain won’t go there. His handlers will see to it he does, and his temper will come out and it will be done.
- Unless McDinosaur outright collapses before the election, I don’t see a contest here.
Comment by Ric Locke on 6/15 @ 4:09 pm #
I rarely or never engage customers in my little store on politics, but once in a while they do bring it up.
So far, 100% of those responding agree that none of the people currently in the race could be trusted to manage the concession stand at a high-school football game. This poll should be taken as highly unscientific, since the majority fail to express an opinion.
Regards,
Ric
Comment by Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) on 6/15 @ 4:49 pm #
“…[that] none of the people currently in the race could be trusted to manage…”
- Which is precisely the common weakness of both candidates, even Hillery for that matter, and which is why the odds are far greater that both will select Management orientated running mates, which gives guys like Lieberman, or Romney, or Biden the inside track.
Comment by Terrye on 6/15 @ 5:02 pm #
I think people are tired of the election already. It seems like someone has been running for something forever.
Comment by Ric Locke on 6/15 @ 5:17 pm #
Terrye,
Yes. Pushing the primaries back was a stupid decision, made stupider by the flatass silliness of the result.
It’s a good thing there’s no national Initiative and Referendum. A measure specifying “shoot both of them and start over” would carry forty-one states and the District of Columbia.
Regards,
Ric
Comment by cranky-d on 6/15 @ 5:35 pm #
I can’t remember being less enthused to vote than I am this year. I think a really good third-party candidate could wreak serious havoc with this incredibly weak field, but there doesn’t seem to be one. Oh well.
Comment by Karl on 6/15 @ 5:59 pm #
Ross Perot just started a new website… ;-)
Comment by SarahW on 6/15 @ 6:02 pm #
McCain’t say no, but only because I have Obamadread. A do-over would be nice.
Comment by SarahW on 6/15 @ 6:05 pm #
Why don’t bloggers break the third wall and get into politics for real. They know the issues, have clear opinion-track records; they have interesting hairstyles.
Comment by ahem on 6/15 @ 6:56 pm #
John Kerry had an interesting hair style, and you can see what it did for him.
Pingback by Gallup Poll: Virtual Tie, Obama 44% - McCain 42% … Where be the Bounce? | Scared Monkeys on 6/15 @ 7:11 pm #
[...] a virtual tie between Obama and McCain for the Fall election. One thing is for certain, there was no bounce for Obama after he locked up the Democratic nomination. The fact that there continues to be no [...]
Comment by Big Bang Hunter (pumping you up) on 6/15 @ 7:25 pm #
- The Breck girl did alright. Hes still got the mansion.
Comment by Pablo on 6/15 @ 8:39 pm #
Ross Perot, you say? Again?
Oh, why the hell not?
Comment by The Lost Dog on 6/15 @ 11:42 pm #
Dear Senator McCain,
Could you please stop kicking me in the nuts every other day?
Comment by maggie katzen on 6/15 @ 11:43 pm #
TLD, I think you’re supposed to ask him to please kick you every other day. then he won’t. because of the maverickyness.
Pingback by Tabula Rasa | Comments from Left Field on 6/15 @ 11:52 pm #
[...] as day to anyone who bothered to look at the graph. I’m just saying), Taylor Marsh, TBogg, protein wisdom, The Other McCain, Donklephant and The Strata-Sphere Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social [...]
Comment by Buffoon on 6/16 @ 2:47 am #
I’m writing in Charles Krauthammer
Comment by Buffoon on 6/16 @ 2:48 am #
Or maybe Chris Crocker hmmm
Pingback by NEWS & OPINION ROUNDUP (16 JUNE 2008) "NO ATHIEST IN FOXHOLES" EDITION | Democrat=Socialist on 6/16 @ 4:15 am #
[...] recent Gallup poll shows that many Americans will be holding their noses if they decide to vote at [...]
Comment by ahem on 6/16 @ 6:54 am #
Obama supporters should enjoy these heady days of neck-and-neck polling; this may be the most popular this clown ever gets. Most Americans are too smart to vote for him. His ass is going to be kicked.
The tragedy is that in about 15-20 years, all the Americans who remember life before the Left started its brainwashing machine will be gone and our children will have nothing to choose from but variations of politicians like O!
Comment by TheGeezer on 6/16 @ 9:15 am #
Why do I find this comforting? And, even not knowing why it is, thank you, Karl for the comforting feeling. The nation’s majority can unite in just being pissed.
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